US6641311B2 - Camera, and method of opening and closing a lens - Google Patents

Camera, and method of opening and closing a lens Download PDF

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Publication number
US6641311B2
US6641311B2 US10/230,109 US23010902A US6641311B2 US 6641311 B2 US6641311 B2 US 6641311B2 US 23010902 A US23010902 A US 23010902A US 6641311 B2 US6641311 B2 US 6641311B2
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
lens
camera
cover
front cover
barrier
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Fee Related
Application number
US10/230,109
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English (en)
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US20030044182A1 (en
Inventor
Koji Yoshida
Hiroyuki Iwasaki
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Fujifilm Holdings Corp
Fujifilm Corp
Original Assignee
Fuji Photo Film Co Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
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Publication date
Application filed by Fuji Photo Film Co Ltd filed Critical Fuji Photo Film Co Ltd
Assigned to FUJI PHOTO FILM CO., LTD. reassignment FUJI PHOTO FILM CO., LTD. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: YOSHIDA, KOJI, IWASAKI, HIROYUKI
Publication of US20030044182A1 publication Critical patent/US20030044182A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US6641311B2 publication Critical patent/US6641311B2/en
Assigned to FUJIFILM CORPORATION reassignment FUJIFILM CORPORATION ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: FUJIFILM HOLDINGS CORPORATION (FORMERLY FUJI PHOTO FILM CO., LTD.)
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03B—APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR
    • G03B17/00—Details of cameras or camera bodies; Accessories therefor
    • G03B17/02—Bodies
    • G03B17/04—Bodies collapsible, foldable or extensible, e.g. book type

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a camera that opens and closes a lens aperture and a method of opening and closing a lens.
  • a first aspect of the invention is a camera comprising: a front cover that is disposed at a lens-mounted side of the camera, so as to be slidable with respect to a camera body mounted with the lens, and includes a lens aperture which exposes the lens; a lens barrier which opens and closes the lens aperture; and an opening/closing mechanism which moves the lens barrier interlockingly with a sliding movement of the front cover so that the lens aperture is opened and closed with the lens barrier due to the lens barrier being moved.
  • the lens aperture can be opened and closed by sliding the front cover, it becomes unnecessary to dispose on the camera body switches or buttons for opening and closing the lens aperture.
  • the diameter of the lens aperture is generally larger than the outside diameter of a lens barrel housed in the camera body.
  • the mechanism comprises a switching mechanism which switches opening and closure of the lens aperture by the lens barrier per reciprocal movement of the front cover.
  • the lens aperture is opened by the lens barrier moving, and when the front cover is reciprocated in a state in which the lens aperture is opened, the lens aperture is closed by the lens barrier moving. Accordingly, it is possible to open and close the lens aperture in a state in which the front cover has returned to a constant position prior to being slid.
  • the lens barrier is rotatably disposed at a front side of the camera body and rotates interlockingly with a sliding movement of the front cover in one direction.
  • an urging member which urges the front cover in a constant direction is disposed.
  • the diameter of the lens aperture is larger than an outside diameter of a lens barrel housed in the camera body.
  • the front cover is slidable in a side direction relative to the camera body.
  • a side cover having a side that is integrally formed with the front cover is disposed so as to form a substantially L-shaped cover when the camera is viewed from above.
  • the front cover can be slid by gripping the side cover and sliding the front cover. Moreover, the design of the camera remains aesthetically pleasing even when the front cover has been slid.
  • a recess into which a finger can be placed when the substantially L-shaped cover is slid, is formed in the camera body, and the finger catches the substantially L-shaped cover when the finger is placed in the recess.
  • the side cover is easy to grip when the front cover is to be slid.
  • FIG. 1A is a front view of a camera according to a first embodiment of the invention, and FIG. 1B is a rear view of the camera;
  • FIG. 2 is a front view showing a lens barrier being opened by sliding a rigid cover from the state shown in FIG. 1A;
  • FIG. 3 is a front view showing the lens barrier moved to completely open a lens aperture by the rigid cover having been moved to an end;
  • FIG. 4 is a front view showing the rigid cover returned to its former position by the rigid cover being released from one's hand in the state shown in FIG. 3;
  • FIG. 5A is a front view of a zoom lens extending from the state shown in FIG. 4,
  • FIG. 5B is a plan view seen from arrows B—B
  • FIG. 5C is a side view seen from arrows C—C
  • FIG. 5D is a side view seen from arrows D—D;
  • FIG. 6 is a front view showing the rigid cover slid to the end from the state shown in FIG. 5A;
  • FIG. 7 is a front view showing the rigid cover returned to its former position by the rigid cover being released from one's hand in the state shown in FIG. 6, and the lens barrier having slid to close the lens aperture;
  • FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing an inner frame that structures a camera body
  • FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the inner frame that structures the camera body
  • FIGS. 10A to 10 C are schematic partial enlarged front views showing how the shape and position of a toggle spring change when the lens barrier is moved and the lens aperture is opened;
  • FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the structure of a reverse surface of the rigid cover
  • FIG. 12 is a schematic front view showing the lens barrier positioned in a closed state when the camera is ordinarily stored
  • FIG. 13 is a schematic front view showing the lens aperture being opened by movement of a pin due to movement of the lens barrier;
  • FIG. 14 is a schematic front view showing the lens aperture having been completely opened by movement of the pin due to movement of the lens barrier;
  • FIG. 15 is a schematic front view showing the pin returned to its former position by the rigid cover returning to its former position from the state shown in FIG. 14;
  • FIG. 16 is a schematic front view showing a tip of the pin engaging with a base end of the lens barrier due to the rigid cover being moved to the end from the state shown in FIG. 15;
  • FIG. 17 is a schematic front view showing the lens barrier moving to a closed position by the rigid cover being released from one's hand in the state shown in FIG. 16;
  • FIG. 18 is a partial perspective view showing a state in which the rigid cover has been slid
  • FIG. 19 is a rear view showing a state in which an open/close cover is closed in a second embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 20 is a rear view showing a state in which the open/close cover is opened in the second embodiment.
  • FIGS. 1 through 7 illustrate a camera 10 according to a first embodiment of the invention.
  • the camera 10 is disposed with a front cover 12 on a front of the camera 10 .
  • the front cover 12 is slidable in a transverse direction (side direction) with respect to a camera body 11 .
  • the front cover 12 is integrally manufactured with a side cover 14 disposed on a side of the camera 10 .
  • a rigid cover 16 that has a substantial L-shape when seen from above the camera 10 is formed at the camera body 11 (see FIG. 5 B).
  • a lens aperture 20 for exposing a lens 19 is formed in the rigid cover 16 .
  • the diameter of the lens aperture 20 is larger than the outside diameter of a lens barrel 24 housed in the camera body 11 (see FIGS. 3 to 5 D).
  • a lens barrier 26 that interlocks with sliding of the rigid cover 16 to open and close the lens aperture 20 is disposed on the front of the camera body 11 .
  • a curved recess 18 for finger placement on the rigid cover 16 is formed in an upper right portion of the camera body 11 when seen from the front (see FIGS. 5 B and 18 ). It should be noted, however, that the position at which the curved recess is disposed is not limited to the upper right portion, and that the curved recess can be disposed in a lower right portion of the camera body 11 in addition to, or in place of, being disposed in the upper right portion.
  • a display panel 30 for displaying, as motion images, images to be shot and operational modes of the camera 10 is disposed at the back of the camera 10 .
  • a ring member 34 to which a strap 32 (see FIG. 1A) is attached is rotatably disposed on the side of the camera 10 not disposed with the side cover 14 .
  • a shutter release button 36 is disposed at the top left of the camera body 11 when seen from the front.
  • the lens aperture 20 Prior to the camera 10 being operated, the lens aperture 20 is closed by the lens barrier 26 (see FIG. 1 A).
  • the diameter of a lens barrier cap 27 is quite larger than the diameter of the lens aperture 20 , and the lens barrier cap 27 is disc-shaped.
  • the lens barrier cap 27 covers the lens aperture 20 when the lens barrier cap 27 is positioned in the position shown in FIG. 1 A.
  • the lens barrier 26 interlocks with the movement of the rigid cover 16 and begins moving, whereby the lens aperture 20 begins to open (see FIG. 2 ).
  • the rigid cover 16 is further moved as far as a position to which it can be slid in the direction of L 1 (i.e., to an end), the rigid cover 16 is positioned into a position at which the lens aperture 20 is completely opened (see FIG. 3 ).
  • the camera 10 is disposed with an inner frame 40 that is disposed at the inner side of the rigid cover 16 and structures the camera body 11 .
  • a support 42 for supporting the lens barrier cap 27 when the lens barrier 26 rotates is disposed at the inner frame 40 .
  • the support 42 includes a surface 42 S that is formed so that the lens barrier cap 27 rotates smoothly.
  • a protrusion 17 is formed on the inner side of the rigid cover 16 (see FIG. 11 ). As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, a groove 46 disposed with a compression coil spring 44 is formed in the inner frame 40 . The inner side of the rigid cover 16 faces the front (surface) of the inner frame 40 . The position of the protrusion 17 corresponds to the position of the compression coil spring 44 mounted in the groove 46 , and the compression coil spring 44 exerts an urging force on the protrusion 17 . Thus, the rigid cover 16 is always urged to return to its former position by the compression coil spring 44 when the rigid cover 16 is slid.
  • the rigid cover 16 when the rigid cover 16 is released from one's hand in the state shown in FIG. 3, the rigid cover 16 slides in the direction of L 2 and returns to its former position, as shown in FIG. 4 . At this time, the lens barrier 26 does not move and the lens aperture 20 remains open.
  • the lens barrel 24 is made to extend from the camera body 11 by an unillustrated extension mechanism and, as shown in FIG. 5A, it becomes possible for the camera 10 to shoot.
  • the lens barrel 24 is accommodated in the camera body 11 by the extension mechanism.
  • the shape of the lens aperture 20 can also be a long oval in the camera side direction, so that when the rigid cover 16 is slid in a state in which the lens barrel 24 has emerged from the lens aperture 20 , a switch is actuated and the lens barrel 24 is automatically accommodated. In this case, it becomes unnecessary to dispose the push-button 13 on the back of the camera 10 , whereby the ease with which the camera can be operated is further improved.
  • the lens barrier 26 opens and closes the lens aperture 20 .
  • the lens barrier 26 is rotatably mounted on the front of the inner frame 40 .
  • the lens barrier 26 comprises the lens barrier cap 27 and a transmitting member 28 through which rotational force is transmitted.
  • the transmitting member 28 extends from the lens barrier cap 27 and is rotatably held at a rotating shaft 47 .
  • a receiving portion 52 for receiving a moving force from a flexible pin 50 attached to the inner side of the rigid cover 16 is formed in the transmitting member 28 .
  • One end of a toggle spring 48 is attached to a receiving tip 52 T which composes a tip side that is disposed more distally than the projection 52 P.
  • the other end of the toggle spring 48 is attached to the front surface of the inner frame 40 .
  • a recess 58 into which the pin 50 fits is formed in the inner side of the rigid cover 16 .
  • the pin tip 50 T is slightly bent in a substantial L-shape and serves as an engaging portion that engages with the receiving portion 52 .
  • a pin base end 50 B is processed into a general U-shape so as to be fitted into the recess 58 .
  • the pin tip SOT moves along the receiving tip 52 T and collides with the projection 52 P.
  • the pin tip 50 T pushes the projection 52 P.
  • the lens barrier 26 rotates in the direction of R 1 as shown in FIG. 13 .
  • the lens barrier 26 is further rotated in the direction of R 1 , as indicated by the broken line in FIG. 14, and the lens barrier 26 begins to be urged in the direction of R 1 by the toggle spring 48 .
  • the receiving portion 52 moves away from the pin tip 50 T and the lens barrier 26 rotates as far as a position to which it is rotatable, whereby the rotation stops, as indicated by the solid line in FIG. 14 . In this state, the lens aperture 20 is completely opened.
  • FIGS. 10A through 10C illustrate how the shape and position of the toggle spring 48 change when the lens barrier 26 is moved and the lens aperture 20 is opened.
  • the rigid cover 16 When the rigid cover 16 is released from one's hand, the rigid cover 16 moves in the direction of L 2 and returns to its former position. Because the pin tip 50 T is not engaged with the receiving portion 52 of the lens barrier 26 , the pin 50 returns to its former position while the lens aperture 20 is maintained in an open state, as shown in FIG. 15 .
  • the rigid cover 16 is again slid in the direction of L 1 .
  • the pin tip 50 T crosses over a catch 52 H that forms the receiving base end 52 B, as shown in FIG. 16 .
  • the rigid cover 16 When the rigid cover 16 is released from one's hand, the rigid cover 16 begins to return to its former position. As a result, because the pin 50 moves in the direction of L 2 and begins to return to its former position, the pin tip 50 T is caught on the catch 52 H as shown in FIG. 17 . Thus, because the receiving portion 52 is pulled in the direction of L 2 , the lens barrier 26 rotates in the direction of R 2 .
  • the lens barrier 26 is further rotated in the direction of R 2 and begins to be urged in the direction of R 2 by the toggle spring 48 . Further, the pin tip 50 T moves away from the catch 52 H and the lens barrier 26 rotates as far as an end position to which it is rotatable, whereby the rotation stops, as shown in FIG. 12 . In this state, the lens aperture 20 is completely closed by the lens barrier 26 .
  • the lens barrier 26 can be made to open and close by sliding the rigid cover 16 .
  • the lens barrier 26 is rotatably supported at the rotating shaft 47 , and the lens barrier cap 27 is moved a lot by the transmitting member 28 of the lens barrier 26 moving a little, whereby the lens aperture 20 is opened and closed. Accordingly, it is possible to sufficiently move the lens barrier 26 by slightly sliding the rigid cover 16 for opening/closing.
  • the front cover 12 can easily be slid while holding the camera 10 in one hand, the operation by which the lens aperture 20 is opened and closed by the lens barrier 26 is remarkably easy.
  • LEDs 64 can be arranged on a side 11 S of the camera body 11 facing the inner side of the side cover 14 , so that the LEDs 64 emits light when the rigid cover 16 is slid and the side cover 14 is moved away from the side 11 S. In this case, it is possible for an operator to be easily notified that the rigid cover 16 has been moved, even when it is dark (e.g., at night). A camera that also has an appealing design is also realized.
  • the lens barrier 26 interlocks with the sliding of the rigid cover 16 to open and close the lens aperture 20 .
  • a display panel 80 is opened and closed by sliding an open/close cover 72 disposed at the back surface.
  • the display panel 80 can be protected without having to raise the durability of the display panel 80 .

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Blocking Light For Cameras (AREA)
  • Camera Bodies And Camera Details Or Accessories (AREA)
  • Structure And Mechanism Of Cameras (AREA)
US10/230,109 2001-09-03 2002-08-29 Camera, and method of opening and closing a lens Expired - Fee Related US6641311B2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2001-265784 2001-09-03
JP2001265784A JP4322449B2 (ja) 2001-09-03 2001-09-03 カメラ

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US6641311B2 true US6641311B2 (en) 2003-11-04

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Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20050281552A1 (en) * 2004-06-22 2005-12-22 Konica Minolta Photo Imaging, Inc. Image capturing apparatus, image capturing system, and housing
US20060182434A1 (en) * 2005-02-14 2006-08-17 Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. Camera
US20070081819A1 (en) * 2005-10-06 2007-04-12 Asia Optical Co., Inc. Lens cover apparatus for camera
US20110097071A1 (en) * 2007-09-18 2011-04-28 Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications Ab Shutter arrangement for covering a camera lens
US10317939B2 (en) * 2016-04-26 2019-06-11 Westunitis Co., Ltd. Neckband type computer

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2006050204A (ja) * 2004-08-04 2006-02-16 Advanex Inc スライドユニット及び携帯製品
KR100708193B1 (ko) * 2005-11-28 2007-04-16 삼성전자주식회사 렌즈 보호캡을 구비한 카메라
JP2008242105A (ja) * 2007-03-28 2008-10-09 Sanyo Electric Co Ltd カメラ機器

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4283132A (en) * 1979-02-07 1981-08-11 Agfa-Gevaert Ag Photographic camera
US5913089A (en) * 1996-08-29 1999-06-15 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Camera
US6322259B1 (en) * 1998-08-06 2001-11-27 Nikon Corporation Camera provided with slide cover
US6347893B1 (en) * 1998-09-01 2002-02-19 Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. Camera having a barrier capable of single smooth operation
US6491448B2 (en) * 2000-02-29 2002-12-10 Fuji Photo Optical Co., Ltd. Camera having a lens cover

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4283132A (en) * 1979-02-07 1981-08-11 Agfa-Gevaert Ag Photographic camera
US5913089A (en) * 1996-08-29 1999-06-15 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Camera
US6322259B1 (en) * 1998-08-06 2001-11-27 Nikon Corporation Camera provided with slide cover
US6347893B1 (en) * 1998-09-01 2002-02-19 Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. Camera having a barrier capable of single smooth operation
US6491448B2 (en) * 2000-02-29 2002-12-10 Fuji Photo Optical Co., Ltd. Camera having a lens cover

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20050281552A1 (en) * 2004-06-22 2005-12-22 Konica Minolta Photo Imaging, Inc. Image capturing apparatus, image capturing system, and housing
US20060182434A1 (en) * 2005-02-14 2006-08-17 Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. Camera
US7403706B2 (en) * 2005-02-14 2008-07-22 Fujifilm Corporation Camera
US20070081819A1 (en) * 2005-10-06 2007-04-12 Asia Optical Co., Inc. Lens cover apparatus for camera
US7520687B2 (en) * 2005-10-06 2009-04-21 Asia Optical Co., Inc. Lens cover apparatus for camera
US20110097071A1 (en) * 2007-09-18 2011-04-28 Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications Ab Shutter arrangement for covering a camera lens
US8514325B2 (en) * 2007-09-18 2013-08-20 Sony Corporation Shutter arrangement for covering a camera lens
US10317939B2 (en) * 2016-04-26 2019-06-11 Westunitis Co., Ltd. Neckband type computer

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JP2003075889A (ja) 2003-03-12
US20030044182A1 (en) 2003-03-06
JP4322449B2 (ja) 2009-09-02

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Owner name: FUJI PHOTO FILM CO., LTD., JAPAN

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:YOSHIDA, KOJI;IWASAKI, HIROYUKI;REEL/FRAME:013244/0088;SIGNING DATES FROM 20020814 TO 20020815

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Owner name: FUJIFILM CORPORATION, JAPAN

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